Pneumatic pump noise reduction

ABSTRACT

A silencer device may be positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube. The silencer devices includes a noise absorbing media and a body section housing the noise absorbing media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof. The silencer device also includes a fluid inlet section having an inlet tube that directs fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media and an inlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section to restrict fluid flow therethrough. The silencer device further includes a fluid outlet section having an outlet tube that directs fluid flow from the noise absorbing media and an outlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid outlet section to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/626,228, entitled “PNEUMATIC PUMP NOISE REDUCTION,”filed Feb. 5, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devicesand pneumatic pumps.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

A wide variety of different devices are pneumatically controlled and/oractuated. Examples of such devices include processing equipmentincorporating one or more pneumatic pumps, pneumatic testing equipment,hand-held pneumatic tools, pneumatic medical devices, pumps, and thelike. Flow of a pressurized fluid (e.g., air) may be used to actuate ormaneuver a mechanism resulting in a desired output. Depending upon theparticular application, one or more pneumatic valves may be utilized todirect the forced air to a desired location within the device, as wellas to release the air through an exhaust tube. Because the air ispressurized and the exhaust tube relatively small, the exhausted airnormally travels at a high velocity into relatively still air, thus theairflow becomes turbulent. The turbulent airflow generates pressurefluctuations, resulting in exhaust noise.

Capnographs are one example of medical monitoring devices that mayutilize a pneumatic pump. Capnographs measure and provide values of thecarbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in exhaled breath, and, as such, maybe used to characterize a patient's ventilation function. The operationof the pneumatic pump of the capnograph may cause a relatively highnoise environment.

SUMMARY

A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. Itshould be understood that these aspects are presented merely to providethe reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and thatthese aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may notbe set forth below.

Aspects of the disclosure, in some embodiments thereof, relate todevices and methods for reducing noise generated by a pneumatic pump,such as a pneumatic pump used in capnography.

Noise generated by the pneumatic pump used in capnography generallydisturbs patients and care-givers and causes a high-noise environment,which may obstruct the communication between the patient and thecaregiver and between caregivers, in addition to interfering with therecovery process of the patient.

Some noise reduction components may have open mufflers located outsidethe pump housing or a restrictor and/or filters in the exhaust of thepump to reduce noise. There is still a need for improved solutions forreducing (e.g., attenuating) the pneumatic noise.

Advantageously, the disclosed silencer includes a restrictor and aradially sealed absorbing media (e.g., filter) configured for in-lineuse on the exhaust tube part, which is located inside the pump. Theabsorbing media is radially sealed around the peripheral walls thereofto allow air passage only from two extremities of the noise absorbingmedia. Thus, the pneumatic pump may be operated without creating highdecibel noise.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a silencer device thatmay be positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump toreduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube. The silencer device mayinclude a noise absorbing media, and a body section housing the noiseabsorbing media and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof. Thesilencer device may also include a fluid inlet section that directsfluid flow from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media, and thefluid inlet section includes an inlet tube and an inlet airflowrestrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet tube and configured torestrict fluid flow therethrough. The silencer device may furtherincludes a fluid outlet section that directs fluid flow from the noiseabsorbing media, and the fluid outlet section includes an outlet tubeand an outlet airflow restrictor fluidly connected to the outlet tubeand configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough. According to someembodiments, the fluid inlet section is further configured to directsound waves from the exhaust tube into the noise absorbing media. Thesilencer device is thus configured to reduce noise.

According to some embodiments, an inner side wall of the body section isthreaded.

According to some embodiment, the noise absorbing media is press-fittedwithin the body section.

According to some embodiments, the fluid inlet section and the bodysection are integrally formed. According to some embodiments, the fluidoutlet section and the body section are integrally formed.

According to some embodiments, the body section includes a tube.According to some embodiments, the tube is a flexible tube.

According to some embodiments, the noise absorbing media is a porousmedia.

According to some embodiments, the porous media includes metal.According to some embodiments, the noise absorbing media is a porousfoam. According to some embodiments, the foam includes polyurethane.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a silencer device thatmay be positioned in-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump toreduce a noise generated at the exhaust tube. The silencer device mayinclude a porous foam media, and a body section housing the porous foammedia and radially sealing peripheral walls thereof. The silencer devicemay also include an inlet section including an inlet tube configured todirect fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the porous foam media, anda fluid outlet section including an outlet tube configured to directfluid flow from the porous foam media.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a system including apneumatic pump including any of the silencer devices disclosed herein.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include some, all, ornone of the above advantages. One or more technical advantages may bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from the figures,descriptions and claims included herein. Moreover, while specificadvantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may includeall, some or none of the enumerated advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with referenceto the accompanying figures. The description, together with the figures,makes apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art how someembodiments of the disclosure may be practiced. The figures are for thepurpose of illustrative discussion and no attempt is made to showstructural details of an embodiment in more detail than is necessary fora fundamental understanding of the teachings of the disclosure. For thesake of clarity, some objects depicted in the figures are not to scale.

FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a silencer device for reducing anoise generated by a pneumatic pump, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the silencer device of FIG. 1A,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a silencer device for reducing anoise generated by a pneumatic pump, wherein the silencer deviceincludes threads, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the silencer device of FIG. 2A,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of a silencer device for reducing anoise generated by a pneumatic pump, wherein the silencer device isdevoid of restrictors at an inlet tube and an outlet tube, according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the silencer device of FIG. 3A,according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a silencer positioned in-line with anexhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at theexhaust tube, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various aspects of the disclosure will bedescribed. For the purpose of explanation, specific configurations anddetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe different aspects of the disclosure. However, it will also beapparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosure may be practicedwithout specific details being presented herein. Furthermore, well-knownfeatures may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure thedisclosure.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of silencers forpneumatic pumps.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a silencer device forin-line silencing of a noise generated at an exhaust tube of a pneumaticpump. The silencer device includes a noise absorbing media, and a bodysection housing the noise absorbing media and radially sealingperipheral walls thereof. The silencer device also includes an inletsection configured to direct fluid flow from the exhaust tube into thenoise absorbing media via an upstream extremity thereof, and a fluidoutlet section configured to direct fluid flow from the noise absorbingmedia via a downstream extremity thereof. At least one restrictor may befluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and/or the fluid outletsection and is configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

Optionally, the radial sealing around the peripheral walls of the noiseabsorbing media limits fluid flow through the noise absorbing media tothe upstream and downstream extremities thereof.

As used herein the term “in-line” is to be construed as referring to adevice (e.g., silencer) positioned along the exhaust tube. The devicemay be coaxial with the exhaust tube. The device is utilized for a stepor a process carried out at some point during the operation of the pumpin order to reduce (e.g., attenuate) a noise generated at the exhausttube.

Optionally, the noise absorbing media is a porous media. Optionally, theporous media includes metal (e.g., metal or metal alloy). Optionally,the noise absorbing media includes porous foam. Optionally, the foam isa polyurethane foam. A non-limiting example of polyurethane foamsinclude the PORON® foams manufactured by Rogers Corporation.

Optionally, the silencer includes an inlet flow restrictor fluidlyconnected to the fluid inlet section and configured to restrict fluidflow therethrough. Optionally, the silencer includes an outlet airflowrestrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and configuredto restrict fluid flow therethrough. Optionally, the silencer includesan inlet flow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet sectionand configured to restrict fluid flow therethrough, and an outletairflow restrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section andconfigured to restrict fluid flow therethrough.

Each of the inlet flow restrictor and the outlet flow restrictor may beindependently integrally formed with or embedded in the fluid inletsection and the fluid outlet section, respectively.

According to some embodiments, an inner side wall of the body sectionmay be threaded. In such embodiments, the noise absorbing media may bepress-fitted into the body section. The threading may facilitateacoustic sealing and/or provide sufficient acoustic sealing.

According to some embodiments, the fluid inlet section and the bodysection are integrally formed. According to some embodiments, the fluidoutlet section and the body section are integrally formed. According tosome embodiments, the body section is integrally formed with the fluidinlet section and the fluid outlet section. According to someembodiments, the body section is coupled to and/or sealed with the fluidinlet section and/or the fluid outlet section.

According to some embodiments, the body section includes a tube (e.g.,hollow, cylindrical structure). The tube may be a flexible tube. Thetube may be a hard plastic tube. The tube may be a soft tube.

In a non-limiting example, a fluid inlet section and a fluid outletsection, both formed of a cap sealing, are each coupled at onerespective extremity (e.g., end) of a body section formed of a softtube. In another non-limiting example, a body section and a fluid inletsection are integrally formed of molded hard plastic and sealinglycoupled to a fluid outlet section formed of a cap.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that various techniques maybe used to ensure coupling of the body section to the fluid inletsection and/or the fluid outlet section. Such techniques include, butare not limited to, glue bonding or ultrasonic welding. In anon-limiting example, a body section formed of a molded hard plastic maybe glue bonded to the fluid inlet and outlet sections formed of a cap.

According to some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a silencerdevice for reducing (e.g., attenuating) noise produced at an exhausttube of a pneumatic pump includes providing a noise absorbing media, abody section, an inlet section and an outlet section. The method furtherincludes inserting the noise absorbing media such that the body portionradially seals the peripheral wall of the noise absorbing media such asto allow fluid passage through the noise absorbing media only from anupstream extremity to a downstream extremity thereof. Following theinsertion step, the method may include coupling at least one of thefluid inlet section to the body section such as to allow direction offluid flow from the inlet section to the noise absorbing media via theupstream extremity of the noise absorbing media and the fluid outletsection to the body section such as to allow direction of fluid flowfrom the noise absorbing media to the outlet section via the downstreamextremity of the noise absorbing media. Optionally, one of the fluidinlet section and the fluid outlet section is coupled to the bodysection prior to insertion of the noise absorbing media to the bodysection. Optionally, one of the fluid inlet section and the fluid outletsection is integrally formed with the body portion.

According to some embodiments, the noise absorbing media is a porousmedia. According to some embodiments, the porous media includes metal(e.g., metal or metal alloy). According to some embodiments, the noiseabsorbing media is a porous foam. According to some embodiments, thefoam includes polyurethane.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a silencer device forin-line silencing of a noise generated at an exhaust tube of a pneumaticpump. The silencer device includes a porous foam media, and a bodysection housing the noise absorbing media and radially sealingperipheral walls thereof. The silencer device also includes an inletsection configured to direct fluid flow from the exhaust tube into thenoise absorbing media, and a fluid outlet section configured to directfluid flow from the noise absorbing media.

There is provided, according to some embodiments, a system including apneumatic pump including any of the silencer devises disclosed herein.

Throughout the following description, similar elements of differentembodiments of the device are referenced by element numbers differing byinteger multiples of 100. For example, a noise absorbing media of FIG.1A is referenced by the number 102, and a noise absorbing media of FIG.2A is referenced by the number 202. The noise absorbing media 202 ofFIG. 2A corresponds to noise absorbing media 102 of FIG. 1A.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which respectively show across-sectional and a perspective view of a silencer device configuredfor in-line positioning with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump toreduce (e.g., attenuate) a noise generated at the exhaust tube, inaccordance with some embodiments.

In particular, a silencer device 100 includes a noise absorbing media102 through which a fluid flow from an exhaust tube (not shown) passes.The silencer device 100 also includes a body section 104 that houses andradially seals against peripheral walls (e.g., radially-outer wall) ofthe noise absorbing media 102 to allow fluid passage only from twoextremities (e.g., ends) of the noise absorbing media 102. Optionally,the body section 104 is a tube (e.g., hollow, cylindrical structuredefined by an annular wall that circumferentially surrounds and/orradially seals against the peripheral walls of the noise absorbing media102). The tube may be formed of a soft material and/or elastic materialsuch as a rubber. An inlet section 106 may direct a fluid flow from anexhaust tube (not shown) into the noise absorbing media 102 via anupstream extremity thereof. Optionally, the fluid inlet section 106includes an inlet tube 107 and an inlet airflow restrictor 108 thatrestrict fluid flow therethrough. Optionally, the fluid inlet section106 is coupled to the body section 104, such as to allow fluidconnection to an upstream extremity 102 a of the noise absorbing media102. A fluid outlet section 110 may direct fluid flow from the noiseabsorbing media 102 via a downstream extremity 102 b thereof.Optionally, the fluid outlet section 110 includes an outlet tube 111 andan outlet airflow restrictor 112 that restrict fluid flow therethrough.The fluid outlet section 110 may be coupled to the body section 104,such as to allow fluid connection to a downstream extremity 102 b ofnoise absorbing media 102.

Each of the fluid inlet section 106 and the fluid outlet section 110 maybe coupled to the body section 104 by soldering or gluing (e.g., byglue, solvent). Optionally, the coupling of at least one of the fluidinlet section 106 and the fluid outlet section 110 is performedfollowing insertion of the noise absorbing media 102 into the bodysection 104. In a non-limiting example, the noise absorbing media 102may be inserted into the body section 104 through an end opening 104 aor 104 b prior to coupling of the inlet section 106 and the outletsection 110 thereto.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which respectively show across-sectional and a perspective view of a silencer device configuredfor in-line positioning with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump toreduce (e.g., attenuate) a noise generated at the exhaust tube, inaccordance with some embodiments.

A silencer device 200 is substantially similar to the silencer device100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, except for the notable difference that an innerside wall 204 c (e.g., radially-inner wall) of a body section 204, whichcircumferentially surrounds, houses, and radially seals against a noiseabsorbing media 202, is threaded. As shown, threads wrapcircumferentially around and contact the noise absorbing media 202. Thethreads may facilitate and/or provide sufficient acoustic sealing.Optionally, the noise absorbing media 202 is press-fitted into the bodysection 204. Further, the body section 204 and a fluid inlet section 206for directing fluid flow from an exhaust tube (not shown) into the noiseabsorbing media 202 via an upstream extremity 202 a thereof, areintegrally formed. A protrusion 230 on a radially-outer wall (e.g.,annular wall) of the body section 204 is optional and may be producedduring a process of injection molding of the internally threaded bodysection 204 of device 200.

Similarly to the fluid inlet section 106 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fluidinlet section 206 may include an inlet tube 207 and an airflowrestrictor 208 for restricting fluid flow therethrough. The silencerdevice 200 further includes a fluid outlet section 210 including anoutlet tube 211 and an outlet airflow restrictor 212 for directing arestricted fluid flow from the noise absorbing media 202 via adownstream extremity 202 b thereof.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which respectively show across-sectional and a perspective view of a silencer device configuredfor in-line positioning with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump toreduce (e.g., attenuate) a noise generated at the exhaust tube, inaccordance with some embodiments.

Similarly to silencer device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the silencer device300 includes a noise absorbing media 302 circumferentially surroundedby, housed, and radially sealed within a body section 304 (e.g., anannular structure, such a cylindrical structure). The silencer device300 includes an inlet section 306 including an inlet tube 307 fordirecting fluid flow from an exhaust tube (not shown) into the noiseabsorbing media 302 via an upstream extremity 302 a thereof, and a fluidoutlet section 310 including an outlet tube 311 for directing fluid flowfrom the noise absorbing media 302 via a downstream extremity 302 bthereof. The noise absorbing media 302 may be sufficient to reduce thenoise generated at the exhaust tube, therefore restrictors forrestricting fluid flow into and from noise absorbing media 302 are notshown (e.g., the silencer device 300 is devoid of such restrictors).Non-limiting examples of such noise absorbing media 302 include foams,such as a polyurethane foam. However, optionally, one or morerestrictors are added to the inlet tube 307 and/or the outlet 311 tubeto enhance noise reduction.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which schematically illustrates asilencer device 400 which is substantially similar to the silencerdevice 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. The silencer device 400 is positionedin-line with an exhaust tube 420 of a pneumatic pump to reduce (e.g.,attenuate) a noise generated at the exhaust tube 420, in accordance withsome embodiments. It should be appreciated that any of the silencerdevices disclosed herein (e.g., silencer devices 100, 200, 300, 400) maybe positioned in-line with the exhaust tube 420 of a pneumatic pump inthe manner shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, it should be appreciated thatthe pneumatic pump may be part of a capnograph.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprises” or “comprising,” whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do notpreclude or rule out the presence or addition of one or more otherfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groupsthereof. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific termsused herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specificationdiscussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,”“calculating,” “determining,” “estimating,” or the like, refer to theaction and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similarelectronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform datarepresented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within thecomputing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computing system'smemories, registers or other such information storage, transmission ordisplay devices. Embodiments of the present disclosure may includeapparatuses for performing the operations herein. The processespresented herein are not inherently related to any particular apparatus.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussedabove, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications,additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended thatthe following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced beinterpreted to include all such modifications, additions andsub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A silencer device configured to be positionedin-line with an exhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noisegenerated at the exhaust tube, the silencer device comprising: a noiseabsorbing media; a body section housing the noise absorbing media andradially sealing peripheral walls thereof; a fluid inlet sectioncomprising: an inlet tube configured to direct a fluid flow from theexhaust tube into the noise absorbing media; and an inlet airflowrestrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and configuredto restrict fluid flow therethrough; and a fluid outlet sectioncomprising: an outlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from thenoise absorbing media; and an outlet airflow restrictor fluidlyconnected to the fluid outlet section and configured to restrict fluidflow therethrough.
 2. The silencer device of claim 1, wherein an innerside wall of the body section is threaded.
 3. The silencer device ofclaim 2, wherein the noise absorbing media is press-fitted within thebody section.
 4. The silencer device of claim 1, wherein the fluid inletsection and the body section are integrally formed.
 5. The silencerdevice of claim 1, wherein the fluid outlet section and the body sectionare integrally formed.
 6. The silencer device of claim 1, wherein thebody section comprises a tube.
 7. The silencer device of claim 6,wherein the tube is a flexible tube.
 8. The silencer device of claim 1,wherein the noise absorbing media is a porous media.
 9. The silencerdevice of claim 8, wherein the porous media comprises metal.
 10. Thesilencer device of claim 8, wherein the porous media is a foam.
 11. Thesilencer device of claim 10, wherein the foam comprises polyurethane.12. A silencer device configured to be positioned in-line with anexhaust tube of a pneumatic pump to reduce a noise generated at theexhaust tube, the silencer device comprising: a porous foam media; abody section housing the porous foam media and radially sealingperipheral walls thereof; a fluid inlet section comprising an inlet tubeconfigured to direct fluid flow from the exhaust tube into the porousfoam media, and a fluid outlet section comprising an outlet tubeconfigured to direct fluid flow from the porous foam media.
 13. Thesilencer device of claim 12, wherein the body section comprises anannular wall that circumferentially surrounds the porous foam media andthat radially seals against the peripheral walls of the porous foammedia.
 14. A system comprising a pneumatic pump and a silencer devicepositioned in-line with an exhaust tube of the pneumatic pump to reducea noise generated at the exhaust tube, the silencer device comprising: anoise absorbing media; a body section housing the noise absorbing mediaand radially sealing peripheral walls thereof; a fluid inlet sectioncomprising: an inlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from theexhaust tube into the noise absorbing media; and an inlet airflowrestrictor fluidly connected to the fluid inlet section and configuredto restrict fluid flow therethrough; and a fluid outlet sectioncomprising: an outlet tube configured to direct fluid flow from thenoise absorbing media; and an outlet airflow restrictor fluidlyconnected to the fluid outlet section and configured to restrict fluidflow therethrough.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein an inner sidewall of the body section is threaded.
 16. The system of claim 15,wherein the noise absorbing media is press-fitted within the bodysection.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the fluid inlet section andthe body section are integrally formed.
 18. The system of claim 14,wherein the fluid outlet section and the body section are integrallyformed.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the body section comprises atube.
 20. The system of claim 14, comprising a capnograph with thepneumatic pump, the exhaust tube, and the silencer device.